Cable clamping device for a processing machine

Abstract

A cable gripping device (100) includes a pair of jaws (180), a reset mechanism (140), and a handle (120) connected with the jaws (180) by the reset mechanism (140). The handle (120) is pivotable about a handle pivot (124) between a first position (P1) with the jaws (180) in an open position (O) and a second position (P2) with the jaws (180) in a closed position (C) around a cable (800). The reset mechanism (140) pivots the handle (120) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) before moving to a reset position (PS) of the reset mechanism (140) that holds the handle (120) in the first position (P1).

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 001,787, filed March 30, 2020, pursuant to 35 U.S.SC §119. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cable processing machine, and more specifically, to a cable clamping device for the processing machine. Background Technology

[0004] In processing machines such as wire termination machines, cable clamping devices hold the cable while it is being processed. The cable clamping device includes a handle that pivots between an open state (releasing the cable) and a closed state (clamping the cable). The pivoting movement of the handle is achieved by a mechanism that closes or opens the clamping device around the cable. This mechanism can also be actuated to apply a force to the handle, causing it to pivot.

[0005] When the handle is moved from the cable-gripping position by the mechanism to release the cable, the handle is held by the linkage of the mechanism and does not fully return to the open position. If the mechanism is subsequently actuated to apply a force intended to hold the handle in the open position for further cycles of the machining process, the handle may inadvertently pivot back to the closed position. The problem to be solved is to provide a clamping device that can reliably hold the handle in the open position, reducing the operational efficiency of the cable clamping device and the machining machine. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This problem is solved by a cable clamping device comprising a pair of jaws, a reset mechanism, and a handle connected to the jaws via the reset mechanism. The handle is pivotable about a handle pivot between a first position in which the jaws are in an open position and a second position in which the jaws are in a closed position around the cable. Before moving to the reset position of the reset mechanism, which holds the handle in the first position, the reset mechanism pivots the handle from the second position to the first position. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 This is a top-view perspective view of the cable clamping device;

[0009] Figure 2 This is a bottom perspective view of part of the cable clamping device;

[0010] Figure 3A This is a side sectional view of the cable clamping device in the first step of clamping the cable;

[0011] Figure 3B This is a side sectional view of the cable clamping device in the second step of clamping the cable;

[0012] Figure 3C This is a side sectional view of the cable clamping device in the third step of clamping the cable;

[0013] Figure 3D This is a side sectional view of the cable clamping device in the fourth step of clamping the cable;

[0014] Figure 3E This is a side sectional view of the cable clamping device in the fifth step of clamping the cable;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the processing machine according to the embodiment; and

[0016] Figure 5 This is a detailed perspective view of a part of the machining machine. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The cable clamping device 100 according to the embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. The cable clamping device 100 includes a housing 110, a handle 120 pivotally attached to the housing 110, a handle holding device 130, a reset mechanism 140 connected to the handle 120, and a pair of jaws 180 pivotally connected to the housing 110 and movable through the reset mechanism 140.

[0018] Casing 110, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the housing 110 extends from the first end 111 to the second end 112 along the longitudinal direction L. The housing 110 has a bottom wall 114 and a pair of side walls 116, which extend from the bottom wall 114 in a height direction H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The side walls 116 extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction L and are spaced apart from each other in a width direction W perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H. A receiving space 118 is defined between the bottom wall 114 and the side walls 116.

[0019] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this design, the housing 110 is shown as transparent to facilitate understanding when depicting and describing the positions of other elements within the receiving space 118. However, the transparent appearance is not intended to indicate or limit any mass of the housing 110; the housing is as follows: Figure 4 and 5 The solid component of the cable clamping device 100 shown.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the handle 120 extends longitudinally L from a first end 121 to a second end 122. The handle 120 has a handle pivot 124 between the first end 121 and the second end 122. At the first end 121, as... Figure 3A As shown, the handle 120 has a slant 126 extending through the handle 120. The slant 126 has a lower end 127 and an upper end 128 opposite to the lower end 127. In one embodiment, the slant 126 extends linearly and diagonally from the lower end 127 to the upper end 128 in a plane defined by the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L. In other embodiments, the slant 126 may extend from the lower end 127 to the upper end 128 in a curved manner in a plane defined by the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L.

[0021] Handle 120, such as Figure 1 As shown, the handle 120 is located in the receiving space 118 and is connected to the side wall 116 of the housing 110 via a handle pivot 124. The second end 122 of the handle 120 protrudes from the second end 112 of the housing 110. The handle 120 is pivotable relative to the housing 110 about the handle pivot 124.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the handle retainer 130 is located in the receiving space 118 between the handle 120 and the housing 110. The handle retainer 130 may be attached to the housing 110 or to the handle 120. In another embodiment, the handle retainer 130 may have multiple components and may be attached to both the housing 110 and the handle 120. In one embodiment, the handle retainer 130 is a magnet capable of attracting the handle 120 to the housing 110. In other embodiments, the handle retainer 130 may be a ball detent, a friction element, a spring mechanism, or any other type of device that can provide... Figure 1 and 2 The position shown indicates that the force applied to the outer casing 110 maintains the handle 120.

[0023] Reset mechanism 140, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes an actuation device 142, a slider 150 connected to the actuation device 142, a plurality of springs 160 disposed between the actuation device 142 and the slider 150, and a connecting rod 170 connecting the slider 150 to the handle 120.

[0024] Actuator 142, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a first end 111 is attached to the housing 110 and has a U-shaped clamp 144 extending longitudinally into the receiving space 118. The U-shaped clamp 144 has a U-shaped pin 146 disposed at one end of the U-shaped clamp 144 longitudinally. The actuating device 142 in the illustrated embodiment is a cylinder capable of moving the U-shaped clamp 144 longitudinally. In other embodiments, the actuating device 142 can be any power device capable of moving the U-shaped clamp 144 longitudinally.

[0025] Slider 150, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it is located in the receiving space 118 and extends along the longitudinal direction L from the first end 152 to the second end 154. The first end 152 is connected to the U-shaped pin 146.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple springs 160 are located in a receiving space 118 between the actuator 142 and the slider 150 at their first ends 152 in the longitudinal direction L. In the illustrated embodiment, two springs 160 are located between the actuator 142 and the slider 150. In other embodiments, only one spring 160 or more than two springs 160 may be positioned between the actuator 142 and the slider 150. In the illustrated embodiment, each spring 160 is a helical spring. In other embodiments, each spring 160 may be any other type of spring that provides an outward elastic spring force when compressed.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, link 170 is located in receiving space 118 and extends from a first end 172 to a second end 174. The first end 172 has a link pivot 176 that connects to the second end 154 of slider 150. Link 170 is pivotable relative to slider 150 about link pivot 176. The second end 174 has a drive pin 178 extending through a groove 126 in handle 120, as... Figure 3A As shown. Link 170 can pivot about drive pin 178 relative to handle 120.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gripper 180 includes a first gripper 182 and a second gripper 186, which are disposed in and extend from the receiving space 118. The first gripper 182 has a first gripper pivot 184 connected to the housing 110. The first gripper 182 is pivotable relative to the housing 110 about the first gripper pivot 184. The second gripper 186 has a second gripper pivot 188 connected in the longitudinal direction L between the actuation device 140 and the first gripper pivot 184 to the housing 110. The second gripper 186 is pivotable relative to the housing 110 about the second gripper pivot 188.

[0029] Now we will mainly refer to Figures 3A-3E A more detailed description is given of the use of cable clamping device 100 to clamp cable 800. In Figures 3A-3E middle, Figure 1 and 2 Reference numerals for some components of the cable clamping device 100 shown may be omitted for clarity of the drawings, but Figures 3A-3E The components shown are related to those mentioned above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Those shown and described are the same.

[0030] exist Figure 3A In the first position P1, the handle 120 extends longitudinally L and abuts against the housing 110. A handle holding device 130 applies a holding force RT to hold the handle 120 in the first position P1. In the first position P1, the gripper 180 is in the open position O, where it is spaced apart from the cable 800.

[0031] Reset mechanism 140 Figure 3A The reset position PS is shown in the diagram. In the reset position PS, the spring 160 is compressed between the actuator 142 and the slider 150, applying a spring force SF that pushes the slider 150 toward the handle 120 in the longitudinal direction L. The actuator 142 does not apply force to the slider 150 in the reset position PS. When the handle 120 is in the first position P1, the push of the slider 150 toward the handle 120 causes the drive pin 178 of the link 170 to move along the groove 126 and abut against the upper end 128, thereby pivoting the link 170 about the link pivot 176 relative to the slider 150. The spring force SF is transmitted through the slider 150 and the link 170 to the drive pin 178 abutting against the upper end 128 of the groove 126, thereby applying a toggle force FT to the handle 120 at the groove 126.

[0032] like Figure 3A As shown, the toggle axis T extends through the center of the connecting rod pivot 176 and the center of the handle pivot 124. When the drive pin 178 is positioned in the groove 126 above the toggle axis T in the height direction H, the toggle force FT applied to the handle 120 causes the handle 120 to pivot about the handle pivot 124 toward a first position P1. Figure 3A As shown, when the reset mechanism 140 is in the reset position PS and the handle 120 is in the first position P1, the toggle force FT is applied to hold the handle 120 in the first position P1.

[0033] To hold cable 800, the user rotates the second end 122 of handle 120 around handle pivot 124 away from bottom wall 114 and away from first position P1, as shown. Figure 3BAs shown. The user needs to apply a force sufficient to overcome the holding force RT and the elbow force FT that hold the handle 120 in the first position P1 to pivot the handle 120.

[0034] When the handle 120 pivots out of the first position P1, the connecting rod 170 pivots relative to the first end 121 of the handle 120, while the drive pin 178 remains abutted against the upper end 128 of the inclined groove 126. Figure 3B As shown, when the toggle force FT is still applied via the spring force SF transmitted through the slider 150 and the connecting rod 170, the drive pin 178 moves in the height direction H below the toggle axis T. The toggle force FT applied below the toggle axis T pushes the handle 120 further away. Figure 3A The first position P1 is shown and facing towards Figure 3C The handle 120 is shown in its second position P2. With the elbow axis T between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the elbow force FT pushes the handle 120 towards the first position P1 above the elbow axis T and towards the second position P2 below the elbow axis T.

[0035] When the drive pin 178 is below the toggle axis T, the spring force SF moves the slider 150 along the longitudinal direction L from the actuator 142 to the extended position PE of the slider 150, as shown. Figure 3C As shown. The U-shaped clamp 144, which attaches the actuator 142 to the slider 150, moves together with the slider 150 in the longitudinal direction L. The toggle force FT continues to pivot the link 170 relative to the first end 121 until the handle 120 reaches the second position P2. When the handle 120 moves to the second position P2, the drive pin 178 slides along the groove 126 from the upper end 128 to abut against the lower end 127.

[0036] When slider 150 moves to the extended position PE, slider 150 contacts gripper 180, and the movement of slider 150 causes gripper 180 to move around gripper pivots 184, 188 from... Figure 3A The shown opening position O pivots to Figure 3C The closed position C is shown. In the closed position C, the gripper 180 is adjacent to the cable 800, the first gripper 182 is located on the first side of the cable 800, and the second gripper 186 is located on the opposite second side of the cable 800. The spring force SF that moves the slider 150 to the extended position PE causes the gripper 180 to move to the first state of the closed position C, where the gripper 180 clamps the cable 800 using the clamping force FG provided by the spring force SF. When the handle 120 is in the second position P2, the gripper 180 is in the closed position C.

[0037] From the first state of the closed position C of the gripper 180, in one embodiment, the actuating device 142 can apply an actuating force FA via the U-shaped clamp 144, pushing the slider 150 in the extended position PE further away from the driving device 142 in the longitudinal direction L. The driving force FA on the slider 150 pushes the gripper 180 further into engagement with the cable 800 around the gripper pivots 184, 188, thereby transferring the gripper 180 to the second state of the closed position C, in which the gripper 180 clamps the cable 800 with a greater clamping force FG provided by the spring force SF and the actuating force FA of the actuating device 142. Compared to the first state, in the second state, the gripper 180 applies a tighter clamping force FG on the cable 800.

[0038] When the cable 800 no longer needs to be clamped by the clamping device 100 via the gripper 180, the actuating device 142 uses the U-shaped clamp 144 to engage with... Figure 3C As shown, an actuating force FA is applied in the opposite direction to move the slider 150 toward the actuating device 142 along the longitudinal direction L, such as... Figure 3D As shown. Actuator 142 moves slider 150 from an extended position PE away from actuator 142 to a retracted position PR close to actuator 142, thereby compressing spring 160. The actuating force FA that moves slider 150 to the retracted position PR resists the spring force SF and is greater than the spring force SF. Figure 3D In the state shown, no toggle force FT is applied because the actuation force FA overcomes the spring force SF.

[0039] The movement of slider 150 to the retracted position PR causes gripper 180 to pivot around gripper pivots 184 and 188 from the closed position C to the open position O, as shown. Figure 3D As shown, cable 800 is released from clamping force FG. Movement of slider 150 also causes link 170 to pivot relative to handle 120. Drive pin 178 remains abutted against the lower end 127 of groove 126, thereby causing handle 120 to pivot back about handle pivot 124 towards the first position P1. Figure 3D In the state shown, the drive pin 178 is still below the toggle axis T; if the actuation force FA is removed in this state and the spring force SF is the only force applied to the slider 150, the handle 120 will pivot back to the second position P2 under the action of the toggle force FT.

[0040] Actuator 142 continues to apply actuating force FA until handle 120 reaches the first position P1 abutting against bottom wall 114, as shown. Figure 3E As shown. The handle holding device 130 applies a holding force RT in the first position P1 to hold the handle 120 in the first position P1. When the handle 120 reaches the first position P1 and the slider 150 resists the spring force SF and remains in the retracted position PR, the drive pin 178 remains abutted against the lower end 127 of the groove 126.

[0041] When actuator 142 is deactivated, the actuating force FA is deactivated. Figure 3E Release at the indicated position. Then, the spring force SF moves the slider 150 away from the actuator 142; the spring force SF moves the slider 150 from the retracted position PR and toward the extended position PE. The spring force SF, through the movement of the slider 150, acts on the connecting rod 170, moving the drive pin 178 from the lower end 127 of the groove 126 below the toggle axis T to the upper end 128 of the groove 126 above the toggle axis T, as shown. Figure 3A The reset position PS is shown in the diagram. The spring force SF applies the toggle force FT, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3A As shown, the handle 120 is held in the first position P1.

[0042] The user can use the cable clamping device 100 to clamp and release the cable 800, and reset the handle 120 to the first position P1, such as Figures 3A-3E As shown. Figure 3C-3E As shown, the reset mechanism 140 pivots the handle 120 from the second position P2 to the first position P1, and then moves it to... Figure 3A The handle 120 is held in the reset position PS of the first position P1. As the handle 120 moves back from the second position P2 to the first position P1, a toggle force FT is applied to the handle 120 until the handle 120 is fully in the first position P1. Therefore, the cable clamping device 100 according to the invention ensures the action of the toggle force FT on the handle 120 upon initial application, preventing the handle 120 from accidentally rotating back to the second position P2 under the toggle force FT.

[0043] The processing machine 10 according to the embodiment, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the device includes a frame 200, a driver 300 movable relative to the frame 200 in a height direction H, an upper tool 400 attached to the driver 300, a base plate 500 attached to the frame 200, and a lower tool 600 attached to the base plate 500. The driver 300 moves the upper tool 400 toward and away from the lower tool 600 in the height direction H. In one embodiment, the driver 300 includes a motor, a gearbox, and a connection for translational movement. In other embodiments, the driver 300 can be any type of driver capable of moving the upper tool 400 relative to the lower tool 600.

[0044] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the processing machine 10 includes a cable clamping device 100 attached to the base plate 500. The cable clamping device 100 is as described above regarding... Figures 3A-3E The cable 800 is clamped and released as described above, with one end of the cable 800 disposed in a terminal 900, which is held in the lower tool 600.

[0045] Cable 800 is positioned in terminal 900, gripper 180 is in open position O, handle 120 is in first position P1, and reset mechanism 140 is in reset position PS. Figure 3A As shown. The user then closes the jaws 180 around the cable 800 to apply a clamping force FG to the cable 800, as described above regarding... Figures 3A-3C As shown and described.

[0046] Cable clamping device 100 clamps cable 800, such as Figure 3C As shown and described, the cable 800 is positioned while the actuator 300 moves the upper tool 400 relative to the lower tool 600. The upper tool 400 moves toward and abuts the lower tool 600 to crimp the terminal 900 onto the cable 800, wherein the jaws 180 are in a first state of closed position C. The relatively light clamping force FG applied by the jaws 180 in the first state of closed position C allows the cable 800 to slide or expand in the width direction W within the jaws 180, while the terminal 900 and the cable 800 are compressed during crimping.

[0047] When crimping is complete, the driver 300 removes the upper tool 300 from the lower tool 600, as follows: Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. If the crimp is correctly formed, the user releases the cable 800 crimped to terminal 900 from the cable clamp 100, as shown. Figure 3C-3E As shown and described above.

[0048] In one embodiment, if a defective crimp is detected, the actuating device 142 applies an actuating force FA to push the gripper 180 into a second state of closed position C, thereby applying a tighter clamping force FG on the cable 800 to prevent the user from removing the cable 800 from the processing machine 10. In this embodiment, the cable 800 can only be removed from the processing machine 10 and the cable clamping device 100 after additional actions (such as entering a code or swiping a stamp at the processing machine 10), such as... Figure 3C-3E As mentioned above.

[0049] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the processing machine 10 is a wire terminator for crimping terminals 900 onto cable 800. In other embodiments, the processing machine 10 can be any type of machine for processing cable 800, and a cable clamping device 700 is required to clamp cable 800 during processing.

Claims

1. A cable clamping device (100), comprising: A pair of grippers (180); Reset mechanism (140); and A handle (120) is connected to a jaw (180) via a reset mechanism (140). The handle (120) is pivotable about a handle pivot (124) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2). In the first position, the jaw (180) is in an open position (O), and in the second position, the jaw (180) is in a closed position (C) around a cable (800). The reset mechanism (140) pivots the handle (120) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) before moving to the reset position (PS) of the reset mechanism (140) that holds the handle (120) in the first position (P1). The handle (120) has a groove (126) at one end (121), at which the reset mechanism (140) is connected to the handle (120).

2. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The reset mechanism (140) includes a slider (150) and a link (170) connecting the slider (150) to the handle (120). The link (170) has a first end (172) pivotally connected to the slider (150) at a link pivot (176) and a drive pin (178) at a second end (174) opposite to the first end (172). The drive pin (178) is disposed in a groove (126) and moves between the upper end (128) and the lower end (127) of the groove.

3. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The handle (120) has an elbow axis (T) between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2). The reset mechanism (140) applies an elbow force (FT) to the handle (120). When the drive pin (178) is above the elbow axis (T), the handle (120) is pushed to the first position (P1) under the action of the elbow force (FT). When the drive pin (178) is below the elbow axis (T), the handle is pushed to the second position (P2) under the action of the elbow force.

4. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The reset mechanism (140) includes an actuation device (142) connected to the slider (150) and moving the slider (150) between a retracted position (PR) and an extended position (PE).

5. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the grippers (180) can be pivoted by the movement of the slider (150), with the gripper (180) in the open position (O) when the slider (150) is in the retracted position (PR) and in the closed position (C) when the slider (150) is in the extended position (PE).

6. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The reset mechanism (140) includes a spring (160) disposed between the slider (150) and the actuation device (142), the spring (160) being compressed in the retracted position (PR) and applying a spring force (SF) to push the slider (150) to the extended position (PE).

7. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 6, wherein, When the handle (120) is in the first position (P1) after being moved from the second position (P2), the spring force (SF) moves the slider (150) toward the extended position (PE).

8. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The movement of the slider (150) under the action of the spring force (SF) moves the drive pin (178) from the lower end (127) of the inclined groove (126) to the upper end (128), so that the reset mechanism (140) moves to the reset position (PS).

9. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 6, wherein, When the handle (120) pivots from the first position (P1) toward the second position (P2) beyond the elbow axis (T), the spring force (SF) moves the slider (150) toward the extended position (PE), which further rotates the handle (120) toward the second position (P2) and pivots the gripper (180) to the first state of the closed position (C).

10. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 9, wherein, The actuating device (142) pushes the slider (150) in the extended position (PE) to transfer the gripper (180) from a first state of the closed position (C) to a second state of the closed position (C), in which the gripper (180) applies a tighter clamping force than in the first state.

11. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 10, wherein, From the closed position (C) of the gripper (180), the actuating device (142) overcomes the spring force (SF) to move the slider (150) toward the retracted position (PR), and the movement of the slider (150) toward the retracted position (PR) pivots the handle (120) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) via the connecting rod (170).

12. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 4 further includes a housing (110) having a first end (111) attached to the actuation device (142) and a handle (120) protruding from a second end (112) of the housing (110) opposite to the first end (111).

13. The cable clamping device (100) according to claim 12 further includes a handle holding device (130) that provides a handle holding force (RT) for holding the handle (120) in the first position (P1).

14. A processing machine (10), comprising: The lower tool (600), the retaining terminal (900), and one end of the cable (800) are disposed in the terminal (900); The upper tool (400) is driven to move relative to the lower tool (600) to crimp the terminal (900) onto the cable (800); and A cable clamping device (100) holds a cable (800) during crimping. The cable clamping device (100) includes a pair of jaws (180), a reset mechanism (140), and a handle (120) connected to the jaws (180) via the reset mechanism (140). The handle (120) is pivotable about a handle pivot (124) between a first position (P1) where the jaws (180) are in an open position (O) and a second position (P2) where the jaws (180) are in a closed position (C) around the cable (800). The reset mechanism (140) pivots the handle (120) from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) before moving to a reset position (PS) that holds the handle (120) in the first position (P1). The handle (120) has a groove (126) at one end (121), and the reset mechanism (140) is connected to the handle (120) at the groove (126).

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